Title : Evaluation of the Metabolic Fate of the Munition Material (TNT and RDX) in Plant Systems and Initial Assessment of Material Interaction with Plant Genetic Material (DNA) - Initial Assessment of Plant DNA Adducts as Biomarkers.

Abstract : This exploratory study performs preliminary ground work towards identifying adducts formed between DNA and metabolically activated trinitrotoluene (TNT) intermediates for potential assessment of their applicability as biomarkers of environmental contamination. Chromatographic comparisons between control and TNT-adducted hydrolysates allowed the tentative identification of two TNT-adducted nucleotides. Chromatographic profiles of TNT-adducted DNA hydrolysates featured these compounds eluting in the 21.4- to 22.6-min retention window. The suspect adducts were not observed in all TNT adduct reactions performed, perhaps because of the formation at concentrations below the analytical detection limit. These studies can be added to the mounting evidence that specific TNT-DNA adducts may occur but definative proof was not obtained.